Usually the term to fast means to stop eating. Sometimes people fast to lose weight. Sometimes it's done as a protest against injustice. But often fasting is used as a religious rite—a cleansing ritual or even a symbol of mourning for the dead. Yet Christ Jesus pointed out the potential for hypocrisy in its use.See Matt. 6:16-18. One could participate in a fast and appear to others as a very religious person, but still not be living a pure and consecrated existence. Thus, the Master stressed the spiritual significance behind our actions.
There is one incident in the New Testament where Jesus speaks of fasting in relation to healing. A father desperately seeks out the help of Jesus' disciples to heal his son of "a dumb spirit." See Mark 9:14-29. Today the trouble would probably be called epilepsy. The boy experiences violent seizures. The disciples willingly agree to pray for him. But the healing doesn't come about. In fact, the boy succumbs to another violent attack, which frightens the disciples and leaves the father without hope.
Then Jesus comes on the scene. The father appeals to him to heal his son. In response Jesus says, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." He then agrees to pray for the boy. This time, however, the immediate result appears to be not only unfortunate, but tragic! It looks as though the boy is dead. But what happens next is so significant. Jesus doesn't react, but reaches down to help him up, and in that moment the boy is completely well. Afterward the disciples ask the Master, "Why could not we cast him out?" Jesus replies, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
